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Introduction to Usenet NewsgroupsContents
What is Usenet?Usenet is a network of computers whose administrators have agreed to trade articles with each other. These articles are the contents of newsgroups, which are arranged by topic. One copy of each article is stored temporarily on a host's local computer (called a news server), and anyone who has access to the Internet through that provider can read articles if they want. Usenet is different from bulletin board systems in that there is no special number to call, and no password or membership. Usenet is different from chat rooms in that discussions don't take place in real time. Usenet is different from e-mail discussion groups in that it doesn't fill up your mailbox! Also, most newsgroups have no central address, and no one owns them. When might Usenet be good for research?Many newsgroups are social or recreational, but you might sometimes consider using Usenet newsgroups for research information, particularly if your area of interest is:
How can I read Usenet newsgroups?In UNIXIf you're in a UNIX lab or using eXcursion on a networked Windows PC, you can use the pulldown Toolchest menu to get to tin.
Or open a winterm (Toolchest | Desktop | Unix shell) and type: If you're telnetted in to UNIX, type: On the Windows networkIf you have MSIE 3, I strongly recommend getting a dedicated newsreader. MSIE 3's built-in newsreader is horrible. Don't put yourself through that torture. I recommend a free newsreader called WinVN. In Microsoft Outlook, you can use Outlook Express as a newsreader. Use the View menu. Pull down to Go To, and then over to News. If you're comfortable using Outlook for other things, reading newsgroups this way should not be too difficult. If you've never read Usenet in Outlook Express before, please see our tutorial on how to set up Outlook for Usenet. In MSIE 4, use the Go menu and pull down to News. MSIE 4 uses Outlook Express as its newsreader. If you're comfortable using Outlook for other things, reading newsgroups this way should not be too difficult. If this is the first time you have tried to read Usenet news in Internet Explorer, please see our tutorial on how to set up Outlook for Usenet. In MSIE 5.5, use the Tools menu. Pull down to Mail and News. From there, go to Read News. MSIE 5.5 defaults to Outlook Express as its newsreader. If you're comfortable using Outlook for other things, reading newsgroups this way should not be too difficult. If this is the first time you have tried to read Usenet news in Internet Explorer, please see our tutorial on how to set up Outlook for Usenet. In Mac, Windows, or UNIXIn Netscape 3, going to the Window menu and pulling down to Netscape News opens Netscape's built-in newsreader. If you haven't used the newsreader in Netscape 3 before, please see our tutorial on how to set up Netscape 3 for Usenet. If you have Netscape Navigator 4 (standalone), you can't use Netscape to read newsgroups, sorry. If you use Windows and you're on the campus network, I recommend a free newsreader called WinVN. In Netscape Communicator 4, either click on the icon of two
little cartoon balloons in the toolbar at lower right (the pop-up
will say, "Discussion Groups"), If you have MSIE 3, I strongly recommend getting a dedicated newsreader. MSIE 3's built-in newsreader is horrible. Don't put yourself through that torture. How are newsgroups arranged?Newgroups are hierarchical, that is, the name of a group begins with a general category, and becomes increasingly specific. The "Big 8" hierarchies are:
Big 8 groups are carried on most news servers, and must pass a formal proposal, discussion period, and a vote to be created. Most soc groups are moderated, because they intend to support the topic discussed. Talk groups are unmoderated--this is the place for controversy. Most other groups are unmoderated. Other important hierarchies of which you should be aware include:
How can I find the right newsgroup?The CSB/SJU news server currently carries 39,680 newsgroups. So how do you find a particular group that would interest you? One quick way to find a newsgroup of interest to you is to open a newsreader and use the search function. This may not help you, however, unless your search term is in the name or brief description of a newsgroup. You could go to Google Groups (who acquired the archive formerly at Deja) and use their search engine to find groups that discuss a particular topic. Another option is to research a question at the Internet FAQ Archives. When you have found the answer to your question, you have also found one or more newsgroups which discuss that topic. NetiquetteIf you are a newcomer to Usenet: Please read news.announce.newusers for a few days, and see if your questions have already been answered in news.newusers.questions. In general: Lurk (read but don't post) until you get a feel for a particular newsgroup. Do post in plain text. Don't post in HTML or quoted-printable. DON'T POST IN ALL CAPS--this is considered shouting. Don't attach an "electronic business card (vCard)" or "Address Book Card" to your posts. Don't post pictures, sounds, or other binary files unless the word "binaries" appears in that newsgroup's name. Test posts should be made only to groups whose names end with the word "test". Most groups do not want commercial posts. You should pay attention to newsgroup naming conventions. Newsgroups ending with "announce" or "answers" are often read-only. They contain announcements or FAQ (frequently asked questions) lists, respectively. Post to a group whose name ends with "general" or "misc" only if there is no more specific group that would be appropriate. In the comp.* hierarchy, "religious" posts about how your operating system rules (and all others are worthless trash) go in groups whose names end with the word "advocacy". Use your head when asking for replies by e-mail. It is a good idea to ask for e-mail and to promise to post a summary to the group if you are conducting a straw poll, or if people may not want to answer in public. If your question requires a more complicated response, and the answer may be of interest to others, it is rude to say, "Please reply by e-mail, not to the group, because I never read this newsgroup." Want a second opinion? A good introduction to the culture of Usenet, though somewhat dated, is the chapter on Usenet News from Zen and the Art of the Internet. The Usenet Info Center Launch Pad offers Usenet Help. Arlene Rinaldi's The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette is pretty much the standard, and her general advice on Electronic Communications is applicable to Usenet. |
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